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How to read people instantly by asking just one simple question

You’re in the break room with a new coworker you don’t know very well, and that person strikes up a conversation. You’re a little guarded, and on top of that, you’re an introvert. Is this someone you can trust enough to want to build a connection? How can you tell?

As it turns out, science has got your back. You can find out plenty about a person with one magic question with the power of a Vulcan mind meld. But before I give it to you, here’s some quick background on the research.

“Your perceptions of others reveal so much about your own personality. Seeing others positively reveals our own positive traits,” says Dr. Wood, lead author of the study.

The study also found that how positively you see other people shows how satisfied you are with your own life, and how much you are liked by others. Now I’m itching to give you the magic question for that new coworker in the break room you’re not sure about, but bear with me.

On the flip side, if someone’s tendency is to speak and describe others in negative terms (even if the person being described does have negative traits), it’s a bigger tip off that the person you’re speaking with will have higher levels of narcissism and antisocial behaviour.

The magic question?

It is all very simple: Asking that new coworker in the break room you’re not sure about what he or she thinks about someone else… reveals much about his or her own personality. The reason? People tend to see more of their own qualities in others.

Now that you’ve got your secret weapon, lets get back to the break room scene with that new coworker. Your question should sound something like this: “So tell me, how are you liking it here so far?” Followed by, “How do you like working with [coworker/boss name]?”